Quick release nut assembly for percussion instrument

ABSTRACT

An adjustable nut comprises a main body having an axial passageway and a locking insert. First and second wing members are pivotally mounted to the main body, whereby the wing members include respective cam surfaces that deflect the inner surface of the locking insert toward the threaded shaft. The assembly provides three different mounting arrangements. The first and second wing members are adapted to provide (1) a locking position where the main body is immovably locked to the threaded shaft, (2) an adjustment position where the first wing member is in the locking position and the second wing member is in an unlocking position to permit selective adjustment of the main body with respect to the threaded shaft, and (3) a sliding position where the first and second wing members are in an unlocking position to permit the main body to slide axially along the threaded member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to fastening devices, and, moreparticularly, the invention relates to adjustable nuts for use onthreaded shafts such as those found on drum sets having cymbals.

2. Description of Related Art

A drum set is a group of separate percussion instruments which oftenincludes one or more cymbals. The general arrangement for mounting acymbal onto a drum or other suitable support includes a rod or postwhich terminates at its upper extremity in a reduced threaded endportion over which the cymbal is fitted and secured in place by a washerand wing nut or other suitable fastening and retaining means.

In a typical mounting arrangement, a washer-like rounded metal disc orcup is fitted against a small shoulder on the threaded post. A feltwasher or pad rests on the cup. The post is covered by a rubber orplastic sleeve. The central hole of the cymbal is fitted over the postaround the sleeve, and the cymbal rests above the felt pad, supported bythe metal cup. A felt washer or pad is positioned over the post abovethe cymbal, and a wing nut is screwed down against the spacing washer.This operation is then repeated for each cymbal. FIG. 16 shows aconventional seat cup arrangement featuring metal seat cup 1, separatesleeve 2, felt members 3 and wingnut 4 which are mounted to a threadedpost 5. The cymbal is disposed between the felt members 3.

With particular regard to the cymbal set, the aforementioned wing nut istightened down over the felt washer to keep the cymbal from flying offthe stand when hit. How tightly the wing nut is tightened determines howfreely it moves when hit. Some players like cymbals to move freelytherefore they keep the wing nut loose. Others prefer their cymbals tobe “firmer” thus they keep the wing nut tighter. Looser cymbals are ableto resonate more freely than tighter cymbals therefore another use ofthe wing nut is to control the amount of resonance of the cymbal.

Another problem encountered in breaking down and reassembling drum setsis an amount of time the setting up and breaking down the drum setconsumes. When performing before audiences, there are often two or moreconsecutive musical bands who perform in sequence. After a first bandplays, the drum set must be disassembled and removed from the stage inorder that the second band can then set up their drum set and beginplaying. This is time consuming and interrupts a rhythm of the concert.

Accordingly, the need exists for an adjustable nut which can be placedon a threaded shaft, and subsequently removed, easily and rapidly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a quick release nut assembly toovercome the aforementioned drawbacks inherent in the prior art.

The invention provides an adjustable nut for use with a threaded shaft,where the adjustable nut comprises a main body having an axialpassageway through which the threaded shaft is adapted to pass. Alocking insert is fitted to the main body. First and second wing membersare pivotally mounted to the main body adjacent the locking insert,whereby the wing members include respective cam surfaces acting on thelocking insert toward the axial passageway. The cam surfaces are adaptedto deflect an inner surface of the locking insert toward the threadedshaft. The assembly provides three different mounting arrangements. Thefirst and second wing members are adapted to provide (1) a lockingposition where the main body is immovably locked to the threaded shaft,(2) an adjustment position where the first wing member is in the lockingposition and the second wing member is in an unlocking position topermit selective adjustment of the main body with respect to thethreaded shaft, and (3) a sliding position where the first and secondwing members are in an unlocking position to permit the main body toslide axially along the threaded member.

The pivoting wing members lock and unlock the wingnut to a threaded postdepending on the orientation of the wings. When the wings are open(unlocking position), the wingnut easily slides past the threads of athreaded post. The wingnut does not have to be spun like conventionalwingnuts thus attachment and removal is quick and easy. When the wingsare closed (locking position), an engagement means grips the wingnutfirmly onto the threads of a threaded post With one wing open and onewing closed, the wingnut is partially engaged onto the threads of athreaded post and can be rotated to adjust the tightness of the wingnut.

These and other new and useful features of the present invention willbecome apparent with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the major components of the wingnutassembly.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the wingnut assembly according to the presentinvention in the open position.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the wingnut assembly in the closedposition.

FIG. 4 shows an isolate view of the main body and sleeve.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the main body and sleeve.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the main body taken along sectionline VI-VI of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the main body taken along sectionline VII-VII of FIG. 4.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate isolated views of the wing members of theinvention.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the locking insert.

FIG. 10 is a top view of the locking insert.

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of the locking insert 15 taken alongsection line XI-XI of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a view of the locking insert and wing members shown mountedto a cymbal post with the main body omitted for clarity.

FIG. 13 is a view of the wingnut assembly shown mounted to a cymbal postin the locking position.

FIG. 14 is a view of the wingnut assembly shown mounted to a cymbal postin the adjustment position.

FIG. 15 is a view of the wingnut assembly shown mounted to a cymbal postin the sliding position.

FIG. 16 is a conventional mounting arrangement for a cymbal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the wingnut assembly according to thepresent invention showing the main body 10, the locking insert 15, andthe first and second wing members 20, 30. As will be described ingreater detail below, the locking insert 15 is inserted into a windowformed in the main body 10 in the direction of arrow ‘A’, then the wingmembers 20, 30 are inserted between the main body 10 and locking insert15 (see arrow ‘B’) to thereby straddle the arms 15 a, 15 b. Theapertures 21, 31 of the wing members 20, 30 are aligned with theelongated apertures 16 a, 16 b of the locking insert 15 and theapertures 10 a, 10 b of the main body 10.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the wingnut assembly showing the main body 10as well as first and second wing members 20, 30. In the embodiment ofFIG. 1, the main body 10 includes a sleeve 12 to facilitate stable andeffective mounting of a cymbal to a threaded shaft. The sleeve alsoprotects the cymbal hole from damage from the threaded shaft. In thepreferred embodiment, the sleeve 12 is integrated or integrally formedwith the main body 10; however, the combination main body 10 and sleeve12 may take different lengths, shapes and forms as understood by thoseof skill in the art of percussion instruments, namely cymbals and cymbalstands. Alternately, the sleeve 12 may be omitted or formed as aseparate member.

The wing members 20, 30 are pivotally mounted to the main body 10 viapivot pins 22, 32; respectively, disposed in the apertures 10 a, 10 b ofthe main body 10. Each wing member 20, 30 is preferably provided orformed with gripping members or knurled portions 20 a, 30 a tofacilitate gripping by a user when the user pivots the wing member 20,30 between an unlocked position (see FIG. 2) and a locked position (seeFIG. 3).

FIG. 4 shows an isolate view of the main body 10 and sleeve 12, and FIG.5 is a top view of the main body 10 and sleeve 12. FIG. 6 is a crosssectional view of the main body 10 taken along section line VI-VI ofFIG. 4, and FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the main body 10 takenalong section line VII-VII of FIG. 4.

The main body 10 comprises sidewalls 11 a, 11 b with a central topportion 11 c having a bore 11 d aligned with the axial passageway 13.Mounting apertures 10 a, 10 b are formed in the sidewalls 11 a, 11 b.The mounting apertures receive the pivot pins 22, 32 to therebypivotally mount the wing members 20, 30 to the main body 10 through thelocking insert 15 as described below.

With reference to FIG. 6, the locking insert 15 is inserted into thewindow 14 formed in the main body 10.

FIGS. 8A and 8B is an isolated side view of the first and second wingmembers 20, 30. With reference to FIG. 8A, the wing members 20, 30include a gripping section with knurled portions 20 a, 30 a tofacilitate gripping by a user when the user pivots the wing member 20,30 between an unlocked position (see FIG. 2) and a locked position (seeFIG. 3). With reference to FIG. 8B, each of the wing members 20, 30includes a pair of mounting leg 22, 32 with apertures 21, 31 (seeFIG. 1) and cam surface 24, 34.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the locking insert 15 and FIG. 10 is a top viewof the locking insert 15. FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of thelocking insert 15 taken along section line XI-XI of FIG. 10.

The locking insert 15 comprises first and second arms 15 a, 15 bintegrally formed and interconnected by a living hinge portion 17 whichbiases the arms 15 a, 15 b apart. As shown in FIG. 11, the internalsurfaces 18, 19 of the arms 15 a, 15 b are formed as partially threadedsurfaces to match threads of a threaded post in the manner describedbelow. When the wing members 20, 30 straddle the locking insert 15, thecam surfaces 24, 34 are positioned to engage the lateral projections 15a′, 15 b′ of the arms 15 a, 15 b. The elongated apertures 16 a, 16 ballow the arms 15 a, 15 b (and internal surfaces 18, 19) to moverelative to the main body 10.

Operation of the present invention will be described with reference toFIG. 12, which is a view of the locking insert 15 and wing members 20,30 shown mounted to a cymbal post 40 with the main body 10 omitted forclarity. The wing members 20, 30 may be pivoted in the direction ofarrows X and X′. As the wing member 20 is pivoted to the uprightposition in the direction of X shown in FIG. 12, the internal surface 18is deflected in the direction of arrow Y against the cymbal post 40whereby the threaded portion of the internal surface 18 mates withthreads provided on the cymbal post 40. Likewise, when the wing member30 is pivoted to the down position in the direction of X′ shown in FIG.12, the internal surface 19 is biased in the direction of arrow Y′ bythe living hinge 17 away from the cymbal post 40 whereby the threadedportion of the internal surface 19 moves away and disengages from thethreads provided on the cymbal post 40.

The assembly of the present invention provides three different mountingarrangements. The first and second wing members 20, 30 are adapted toprovide: (a) a locking position where the main body 10 is immovablylocked to the threaded shaft 40 when both wing member 20, 30 are in theupright (engaged) position (see FIG. 13); (b) an adjustment positionwhere one of the wing members 20, 30 is in the locking position and theother wing member 20, 30 is in an unlocking position to permit selectiveadjustment of the main body 10 with respect to the threaded shaft 40(see FIG. 14), and (c) a sliding position where both wing members 20, 30are in an unlocking position to permit the main body 10 to slide axiallyalong the threaded member 40 (see FIG. 15).

While the foregoing invention has been shown and described withreference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those ofskill in the art that various changes in form and detail may be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

1. An adjustable nut for use with a bolt having a threaded shaft, saidadjustable nut comprising: a main body having an axial passagewaythrough which said threaded shaft is adapted to pass; a locking insertmounted with respect to said main body, said locking insert comprisingat least one internal surface facing said threaded shaft, said internalsurface defining a portion of said axial passageway, wherein saidinternal surface is integrally formed with and connected by a flexiblehinge adapted to bias said internal surfaces away from said axialpassageway and said threaded shaft; said flexible hinge providing anaccordion effect so as to permit the internal surface to move in alinear direction transverse to said axial passageway and provide anengagement with said threaded shaft; first and second wing memberspivotally mounted to said main body, said wing members including arespective cam surface adjacent said axial passageway, said cam surfaceadapted to deflect said movable internal surface toward said threadedshaft; wherein said first and second wing members are adapted to providea locking position where said main body is immovably locked to saidthreaded shaft, an adjustment position where said first wing member isin said locking position and said second wing member is in an unlockposition to permit selective adjustment of said main body with respectto said threaded shaft, and a sliding position where said first andsecond wing members are in an unlocking position to permit said mainbody to slide axially along said threaded shaft.
 2. (canceled)
 3. Theadjustable nut according to claim 1, wherein said internal surface isdefined by a pair of internal surfaces that face one another.
 4. Theadjustable nut according to claim 1, wherein said flexible hinge isadapted to bias said internal surface away from said axial passagewayand said threaded member.
 5. The adjustable nut according to claim 4,wherein said living hinge biases said pair of internal surfaces awayfrom each other.
 6. The adjustable nut according to claim 1, whereinsaid main body is integrally formed with a cylindrical sleeve adapted topass through an aperture of a cymbal.
 7. The adjustable nut according toclaim 1, wherein said wing members include a knurled portion tofacilitate gripping by an operator.
 8. An adjustable nut, for use with abolt having a threaded shaft, said adjustable nut comprising: a mainbody having an axial passageway through which said threaded shaft isadapted to pass, said main body carrying a movable internal surface ofsaid axial passageway facing said threaded shaft; first and second wingmembers pivotally mounted to said main body, said wing members includinga respective cam surface adjacent said axial passageway, said camsurface adapted to deflect said movable internal surface toward saidthreaded shaft; wherein said first and second wing members are adaptedto provide a locking position where said main body is immovably lockedto said threaded shaft, an adjustment position where said first wingmember is in said locking position and said second wing member is in anunlock position to permit selective adjustment of said main body withrespect to said threaded shaft, and a sliding position where said firstand second wing members are in an unlocking position to permit said mainbody to slide axially along said threaded shaft, wherein said lockinginsert and said main body include elongated apertures which are alignedwith an aperture provided in said first and second wing members, saidelongated apertures define a linear travel direction for said movablesurface when said wing members pivot with respect to said main body. 9.The adjustable nut according to claim 1, wherein said locking insertcomprises a central aperture aligned with said axial passageway.
 10. Theadjustable nut according to claim 1, wherein wing members straddle saidlocking insert.
 11. An adjustable nut for use with a bolt having athreaded shaft, said adjustable nut comprising: a main body having anaxial passageway through which said threaded shaft is adapted to pass; alocking insert mounted en with respect to said main body, said lockinginsert having an internal surface facing said threaded shaft, saidinternal surface defining a portion of said axial passageway, whereinsaid internal surface is integrally formed with and connected to saidlocking insert by a flexible hinge adapted to bias said internal surfaceaway from said axial passageway and said threaded shaft, at least onewing member pivotally mounted to said main body through at least oneelongated aperture provided on said main body, said wing memberincluding a cam surface adjacent said locking insert, said cam surfaceadapted to deflect said internal surface toward said threaded shaft,wherein said elongated aperture constrains movement of said internalsurface along a linear path of travel when said cam surface deflectssaid internal surface.
 12. The adjustable nut according to claim 11,wherein said at least one wing member comprises first and second wingmembers adapted to provide a locking position where said main body isimmovably locked to said threaded shaft, an adjustment position wheresaid first wing member is in said locking position and said second wingmember is in an unlock position to permit selective adjustment of saidmain body with respect to said threaded shaft, and a sliding positionwhere said first and second wing members are in an unlocking position topermit said main body to slide axially along said threaded member. 13.The adjustable nut according to claim 11, wherein said internal surfaceis defined by a pair of internal surfaces formed on said locking insert,said pair of internal surfaces facing one another.
 14. (canceled) 15.The adjustable nut according to claim 11, wherein said main body isintegrally formed with a cylindrical sleeve adapted to pass through anaperture of a cymbal.
 16. The adjustable nut according to claim 11,wherein said at least one wing member include a knurled portion tofacilitate gripping by an operator. 17-18. (canceled)